Renderings of the proposed design of the St. Paul Public School, (Wilkins Architecture Design Planning LLC, Courtesy)
ST. PAUL — For a second time this year, St. Paul school district voters rejected a $18 million bond issue that would have gone to school additions and renovations.
Voters in Howard County cast 1,076 votes, 52 percent, against the bond, with 888 votes, 43 percent, for the issue. A total of 1,964 votes were cast regarding the bond issue.
In March, earlier this year, a special election had been held regarding the bond. The results of that election were 602 votes in favor, and 784 votes against.
Board of Education President Marty Mrkvicka said the school is operating in a building that was built in 1923 and the elementary and individual small group classrooms do not meet educational standards.
The 1923 addition has also outlived its useful life and needs significant renovations, maintenance has been ongoing and is costly to the district.
Superintendent Adam Patrick said in addition to the three-story addition being over 100 years old, the boiler is 25 years old and the roof will need to be replaced within the next five to ten years.
Patrick noted with past remodels some of the classrooms are long and narrow and don’t lend themselves well to instruction of students.
The conversation came down to putting more money into the aging space or to tear it down and build new.
Mrkvicka said initial conversations and plans were discussed prior to 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced a postponement.
A year ago, the St. Paul school district restarted the process and met with community members to get their views on what should be done with the aging additions.
After conversations with stakeholders and the St. Paul community, the plan presented will see the three-story 1923 addition demolished and replaced with a two-story structure with modern classrooms, a clearly defined activities entrance, updated performing arts space in the gym, updated HVAC units in the 1951 wing and cafeteria expansion with added outdoor space.
One factor that was considered was the size of the student population. Patrick said the current enrollment is around 725 students. He said over the past 10 years, enrollment has held steady around 700, with the highest in that period being 730, the lowest, 650.
The actual amount being asked for was $17,975.00.
